Foreigners can leave Saudi Arabia by air

The Saudi Arabian government today said citizens of other countries will be able to leave the country from now on by air.

The Middle Eastern country, however, extended suspension of flight operation to the Kingdom for another week to prevent transmission of new strain of Covid-19, sources at the Saudi Arabian Airlines' Dhaka office said.

In an urgent circular, GACA today announced that airlines are permitted to carry non-Saudi passengers outside the Kingdom, taking into account precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

"Foreign airlines are permitted to operate flights for this purpose must not allow crew to leave the aircraft and to physically contact the ground/operation staff of the arrival airport, taking into account precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19," GACA said.

It also said the instructions do not include the countries where the new strain of Covid-19 has appeared, according to what is decided by the competent health authority and the airlines must coordinate with Air Transport Department before applying for flights.

Earlier on December 21, Saudi Arabian Airlines suspended operating all international flights including to and from Dhaka creating uncertainty again over returning of Bangladeshi expatriate workers to their workplaces there.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabia in a circular on December 21 announced temporary suspension of all international flights to and from Saudi Arabia except in exceptional cases.